Lee sets tough new challenges

STAWELL - Former Stawell man, Lee Campbell, loves to set himself tough new challenges.

That's why he is the ambassador for the world's most gruelling test of physical and mental strength, Tough Mudder, which he is bringing to Phillip Island in March.

Lee, who attended Stawell Secondary College, has always had an affinity with sport and fitness. His excellence on the sporting field translated into a career in fitness, when he joined the Australian Army's Royal Australian Regiment and became an elite Physical Training Instructor, responsible for the physical training of soldiers.

Drafted to play Australian Rules Football with the Sydney Swans, he went onto represent New South Wales at a state level.

For more than 25 years, Lee has devoted himself to the health and fitness industry, providing training to a vast array of clients, including celebrities, corporations and anyone wishing to improve their health.

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It is this desire to see others succeed and reach their goals that led to Lee becoming the ambassador for Tough Mudder, a 16-20 kilometre obstacle course challenge that is the ultimate test of strength, grit, stamina, teamwork and camaraderie.

The goal for participants is not to win, but simply to finish-on average, only 78% successfully complete the event. With a course designed to be virtually impossible to complete individually, 80% of participants register with a team.

"With the right preparation and a supportive team, Tough Mudder is achievable for the average Aussie to the elite sportsman," Lee said.

"At the end of the day, it's about teamwork and camaraderie, you won't get to the end without it.

"The Phillip Island Circuit features mostly flat open farmland with lakes, patches of woodland and mud pits stretching along the coast. With ample amounts of thick Melbourne mud to work with, the main mud obstacles, 'Kiss of Mud' and 'Mud Mile', will have no problem caking you with additional kilos of mud, making this location a perfect fit for 'Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet'."

Tough Mudder events have wide appeal. Participants (known as 'Mudders') range from gym junkies to business executives to mums. For many Mudders, Tough Mudder is more than just a weekend event, it's a lifestyle.

For Tough Mudder's fifth time returning to Phillip Island, Mudders will travel far and wide, often making a weekend trip out of the event.

"If you need to set yourself a challenge for 2014, this is it, stop thinking about it and just do it," Lee said.

"Phillip Island is a great location for Tough Mudder; the course designers have been preparing new challenges and surprises. Tough Mudder is taking things to the next level in 2014, so be prepared for anything."

Tough Mudder proudly supports Legacy and its mission to assist Australian families suffering after the incapacitation or death of a family member during or after their defence force service. To date, Tough Mudder participants have raised more than $280,000 for Legacy.

Registrations for the Tough Mudder Melbourne event are now open. Spectator tickets are also available for $20 online. For those interested in finding other ways to get involved and get a discount on future registration, Tough Mudder is currently on the lookout for volunteers to be a part of the action.